Diabetes and Pregnancy

Having diabetes should not stop you from having a baby, if this is something you wish to do.
However, when you have any type of diabetes, planning your pregnancy is very important to make sure you and baby stay healthy and well during and after your pregnancy.

Blood glucose targets are much stricter in pregnancy to prevent problems such as malformations, stillbirth, and heart defects. The aim is to keep your blood sugar between 3.5 – 7.8 mmol/L most of the time. This can be difficult – but is not impossible, and we will support you every step of the way!

Before you try to get pregnant, make sure you contact us for pre-pregnancy planning so that we can discuss the following steps:

– Taking higher dose Folic acid 5mg daily (prescribed by GP)
– Getting your HbA1c below 48 mmol/mol (<6.5%)
– Reviewing your medications like blood pressure / thyroid / statins / diabetes medications as these can be harmful to your unborn baby may need to be stopped or changed
– Referring your for eye screening
– Requesting blood tests and urine tests to check your kidney function
– Discussing healthy lifestyle and weight management, if needed

For more information see the following articles:
– Pregnancy and diabetes | Diabetes UK
– Pregnancy information | Tommy’s (tommys.org)
– NICE diabetes in pregnancy guide
– Diabetes and Pregnancy

If you are already pregnant, make sure to self-refer to the midwives here: Self-referral to Colchester maternity services – East Suffolk & North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (esneft.nhs.uk)

Please self-refer to NEEDS via Sgpfed.needs-referrals@nhs.net if you would like to discuss planning a pregnancy with us.

We look forward to supporting you on your pregnancy journey!